Rav Chaim Kanievsky, ZT”L, would tell over the story of a couple, (let’s call them) Chavi and Shimon, who had been barren for ten years and once came to him for a blessing to have a baby. He responded that he was sadly unable to bless them for a child because the gates of heaven are closed. He continued, however, that if they find somebody who was embarrassed in public but did not respond, they should ask this person for a blessing, as it would be effective.
After some time, they walked into a wedding and Chavi sat down in the women’s section next to another lady who had recently moved into the neighborhood, (let’s call her) Miriam. There was another woman who walked in shortly after who was known locally to be “not all there” (mentally). When she entered, she began screaming at Miriam for no reason. She was shouting in front of everybody that Miriam stole her house and now her and her kids are homeless.
Miriam was shocked to her very core; she felt so embarrassed. Every word that was coming out of that woman’s mouth felt like emotional murder for Miriam. Nevertheless, she restrained herself and did not say a word in response. Realizing what had just happened, Chavi quickly asked her for a bracha for children. Nine months later was the bris, to which she invited Rav Kanievsky and Miriam, and celebrated the new life Hashem brought into the world.
Comment: The Gemara (Baba Metzia 58a) teaches that embarrassing someone in public is akin to murdering them. Although Miriam may have felt like somebody was emotionally killing her word by word, it was those very words that allowed her to bestow life on a barren couple.
Reprinted from the Parshas Toldos 5783 email of Torah Sweets.
